SWOT analysis of Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2024

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have finalised their squad for the 2024 season, picking up the required players in the recently concluded mini-auction in Dubai. They entered the auction with a purse value of Rs 23.25 crore, aiming to strengthen their bowling line-up. There will be no star-studded attack with Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming season, but they have got a decent unit with Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson coming into the squad. 

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Despite being part of the cash-rich league since its inception in 2008, RCB has failed to lift the title even once. However, the 2024 season could end their drought for a trophy. Having said that, let's look at RCB's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

RCB Final Squad for IPL 2024: Faf du Plessis (captain), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Dinesh Karthik, Cameron Green, Vishak Vijaykumar, Manoj Bhandage, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Suyyash Prabudesai, Akash Deep, Reece Topley, Rajan Kumar, Himanshu Sharma, Karan Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Will Jacques, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Sourav Chauhan.

Here's a SWOT analysis of Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2024

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Strengths

RCB's batting department has been their strength all season and this time the story is no different. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis can lay the foundation and mostly one of them will bat till the end and let the other batters go hard. Rajat Paditar in the middle order can provide stability and once the platform is set, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green can do maximum damage to the opposition. In fact, RCB has one of the most dangerous batting units in IPL 2024. 

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Weaknesses

As strong as RCB's batting unit is, their bowling department is weak. This has been their main concern all these years and it looks like it will continue this season as well. With bowlers like Josh Hazelwood, Wannindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel released, everyone expected the franchise to sign some of the top names in world cricket at the auction. However, that was not the case as Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph and Tom Curran were signings. Mohammed Siraj is in good form but he often lacks consistency, and there's no great support for him in the upcoming edition. Moreover, Karn Sharma is their only specialist spinner, showing that their spin department is also weak.

Opportunities

Cameron Green was roped in from Mumbai Indians (MI) for a whopping price ahead of the auction. The Aussie all-rounder needs to prove his mettle by contributing to both departments. He can help RCB win their maiden title and be a part of the franchise for years to come. 

Threats

RCB's decision to retain Dinesh Karthik was a bit of a surprise given the veteran's poor performance last season. He can be dangerous in the last two or three overs, but if needed early, he won't be of any help. It also shows the team's lack of batting depth as they don't have a reliable player in the lower-middle order after the top 5.